Ain Obenza and the San Beda Red Cubs struggled with their shooting all day long.
But, the 5’11 Obenza still found his mark at the free throw line in the last 20.3 seconds.
This lifted the Red Cubs to a much needed 12th victory in 17 games in the junior division of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament.
Obenza, a former hotshot of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Baby Panthers before he transferred three years ago, shot two charities that carried the Red Cubs to a 63-60 stopping of the Letran Squires last Friday at the Arena in San Juan.
“Kahit pangit ang scoring ko, focus lang sa mga pinapagawa ni coach,” said Obenza, who was awarded his charities off Russelle Aniban’s foul.
He actually had four attempts, but he bungled the last two off Aniban’s fifth foul with 4.3 ticks left.
The Red Cubs, who had a 26.39 percent shooting clip in this game,
Despite their awful form, they went on to move up to no. 2 with their 12-5 win-loss card, and their sixth consecutive win.
They are now behind in the defending champion Malayan Red Robins,
Their chance to gain the no. 2 spot came Thursday when the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigaders upset the La Salle Greenhills Greenies(11-6) with 81-77 triumph.
“Sobrang muntik. Buti na lang, na-recover naming ang 8-point lead nila. It was a bad shooting day for us,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.
The Squires, with Neil Tolentino firing 14 points and hauling 17 rebounds, share a 10-7 slate with the San Sebastian Staglets.
And they are in contention for the no. 4 seeding.
The Squires unloaded a 13-0 in the fourth period, shattering a 47-all deadlock from treys by Kiefer Cordero and Keith Peralta
With Letran in front, 58-47, the Red Cubs fought back to within a point, with Evan Nelle’s three-pointer putting them close, 59-60.